Thousands Will Race to Support Life-Saving Breast Health Programs in the Washington, D.C. Area

WASHINGTON, D.C. – MAY 8, 2013 – The 24th annual Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2013 on the National Mall. This year’s Race, previously held in June, takes place on Mother’s Day weekend with the theme “Make Mom Proud,” honoring mothers and women everywhere.

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Congressman Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) serve as the 2013 Global Race Honorary Co-Chairs. Congressman Schock’s district includes the city of Peoria where Susan G. Komen® Founder Nancy Brinker and her sister, Suzy, grew up. Wasserman Schultz is both a key leader in the fight against breast cancer as well as a survivor.

Money raised from the Race supports breast cancer programs for low-income, uninsured and medically underserved women in the National Capital Area and across the globe. Seventy-five percent of the money raised will go to programs in the greater Washington, D.C. area, focusing on Wards 7 and 8 in Washington and Prince George’s County. The remaining 25% will go to Komen’s international programs.

“The District has one of the highest mortality rates from breast cancer in the country, and we must find a way to ensure that all women in the community have access to high-quality care,” said Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen. “Over the last 24 years, funds from the Global Race have helped us screen, treat and provide financial and social support to women who might otherwise get little or even no help at all. We’re looking forward to this year’s Race and continuing to make a difference for women in the Washington area.”

Komen has funded $33 million in community health programs in the region since starting the Global Race for the Cure in 1990. Currently, Komen has 18 active grants for community education and treatment centers totaling $7.3 million, helping to provide programs for those who need it most in the National Capital Area – which includes northern Virginia, the District and Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland. Thanks in part to funds raised by last year’s Global Race, Komen recently announced new grants (see full list below) totaling $1.5 million to seven local D.C. area programs.

Earlier this year, Komen announced a new partnership with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) and its joint “One Team for the Cure” initiative. As part of the partnership, Washington Redskins’ wide receiver, Josh Morgan, is serving as this year’s Local Ambassador for the Global Race. Morgan’s godmother is a local survivor of triple negative breast cancer. He has organized a race team and is fundraising this year in her honor.

“My godmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Watching her courageously fight this disease every day since then has opened my eyes and made me want to help raise awareness,” said Morgan. “Life is precious, and there are a lot of strong, beautiful women fighting for their lives every day. By serving as a Global Race Local Ambassador, I am supporting breast cancer survivors – those still fighting – and the mission to find a cure.”

For the month of May, WWE is participating in a “Make Mom Proud” awareness campaign that calls on supporters to do something meaningful for their moms and the other important women in their lives. As part of this campaign, WWE has formed a Global Race team for fans and WWE Divas Layla and Alicia Fox will attend the Race and serve as judges for the “Best Dressed Survivor Contest.”

Last week, The Susan G. Komen Survivor Committee selected its annual Global Race for the Cure Survivor of the Year and Co-Survivor of the Year. The 2013 Survivor of the Year title was given to Dr. Michelle Craig, a survivor, mother and primary care doctor at the Family Medical and Counseling Service, Inc., a partner clinic of Komen-grantee DC Pink Divas that navigates patients through the continuum of care. The 2013 Co-Survivor of the Year award title was given to Ashburn, Va. resident, Leo Titus. Along with help from his three daughters, Leo has raised over $100,000 in honor of his wife who passed away from breast cancer ten years ago.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In the United States, one case of breast cancer is diagnosed every two minutes, and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes. A lack of health insurance and living in lower-income areas are both associated with lower survival rates among breast cancer patients, as well as the presence of other illnesses, unequal access to care and disparities in treatment.

There are multiple ways to participate in and fundraise for the Global Race, including the 5K or one-mile walk/run. Children ages five to 12 can register for Kids for the Cure®, a special kid-friendly race. To learn more, visit www.GlobalRacefortheCure.org. Share content and engage online with the official event hashtag #GlobalRace, @KomenfortheCure and/or facebook.com/GlobalRace.

List of total 2013 National Capital Area Community Grants:New 2013 GrantsArlington Clinic From Screening to Survivorship - Enhancing Continuity of Care for Low-Income Arlington WomenArlington, VA

CASA de Maryland Latino Cancer Prevention and Control ProgramPrince George’s County